Toy train track connector and riser system

ABSTRACT

A toy track assembly having a first and second support column, the first and second support columns each including at least one first opening. The assembly can also include a track connector, wherein the track connector includes a first and second threaded male member, wherein the first threaded male member is received within the first opening of the first support column and the second threaded male member is received within the first opening of the second support column. In addition, the assembly can include a first and second fastener, wherein, via a threaded engagement, the first fastener is coupled to the first threaded male member and the second fastener is coupled to the second threaded male member, thereby securing the track connector to the first and second support columns.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Design patent application No. 29847241 filed on Jul. 22, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure described herein, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

The desire for playing with track bound toy vehicles is well known, particularly wooden track toy trains or cars. This includes track bound toy vehicles having extended tracks or driving track segments with a spacing above the surface on which the trackway is set up. For this purpose, the driving tracks or driving track segments have to be supported by supporting elements, for example building blocks or certain track risers for supporting such tracks with suitable spacings. It is understood that this type of support for the trackway segments can lead to unstable trackways. For example, the risers, columns, or track support elements may be mounted on an unstable surface, such as carpet, rugs, or any other offset or inherently unstable surface, causing the blocks to fall over, such as from the weight of the toy vehicle on the tracks, the momentum of the toy vehicle, or inadvertent knocking over of the tracks or blocks by the user, among others. In addition, as more risers are mounted on top of each other to adjust the elevation of the track, the risers and track become even more inherently unstable. This instability of the track has an adverse effect on the user's desire to play with such toys.

Hence, there is a need for a toy track connector and riser system that includes a multi-tier track or multi-level track system that is highly stable, easy to assemble, and provides improved learning to a user.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, a toy track assembly is disclosed having a first and second support column, the first and second support columns each comprising at least one first opening; a track connector, wherein the track connector comprises a first and second threaded male member, wherein the first threaded male member is received within the first opening of the first support column and the second threaded male member is received within the first opening of the second support column; and a first and second fastener, wherein, via a threaded engagement, the first fastener is coupled to the first threaded male member and the second fastener is coupled to the second threaded male member, thereby securing the track connector to the first and second support columns.

In addition, the track connector may include a female member and a male member, wherein the female member of the track connector is configured to couple to a male member of a first toy track and the male member is configured to couple to a female member of a second toy track. Further, the track connector can include an extended flat region adjacent to the male member of the track connector. Also, the male member of the track connector can include a distal end and the extended flat region having a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the extended flat region is below the distal end of the male member of the track connector. Further, the first and second support columns can each further include a second opening, wherein the second opening is configured to receive the first or second threaded male members of the track connector. Also, the first and second support columns can each further include a third opening, wherein the third opening is configured to receive the first or second threaded male members of the track connector. Here, the third opening can be above the second opening and the second opening can be above the first opening. In addition, the assembly can include a bridge support accessory, wherein the bridge support accessory includes a first and second opening. Here, the first opening of the bridge support accessory can receive the first threaded male member of the track connector and the second opening of the bridge support accessory can receive the second threaded male member of the track connector. Also, the assembly can include a pivoting gate accessory, wherein the pivoting gate accessory can include an extended region having an opening, wherein the opening receives either the first or second threaded male member of the track connector.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, a toy track assembly is disclosed. The toy track assembly can include a first and second riser, the first and second risers each having at least one first opening; a track securement member, wherein the track securement member comprises a first and second threaded male member, wherein the first threaded male member is received within the first opening of the first riser and the second threaded male member is received within the first opening of the second riser; and a first and second fastener, wherein the first fastener is secured to the first threaded male member and the second fastener is coupled to the second threaded male member, thereby securing the track securement member to the first and second risers.

The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toy train track riser and connector system according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the toy train track riser and connector system according to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates perspective view for various types of risers or support columns according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view for another type of riser or support column according to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view for a track connector according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view for the track connector of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom view for the track connector of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrates left and right side view of the track connector of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of the track connector of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6B illustrates a rear view of the track connector of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 7A illustrates a side view of a threaded fastener for the track connector according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIGS. 7B-7C illustrates partial front views of the threaded fastener and track connector, and in particular, a method of securing the risers and the threaded fastener to the track connector according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an accessory, namely, a bridge support member, for the toy train track riser and connector system according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 8B illustrates a side view for the accessory of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view for the bridge support member secured to the toy train track riser and connector system according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 10A illustrates a front perspective view for another accessory, namely, a rail track crossing gate assembly, according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 10B illustrates a rear prospective view for the accessory of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view for the rail track crossing gate secured to the track riser and connector system according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Brief Summary of the present disclosure above and in the Detailed Description of the disclosure described herein, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the disclosure described herein. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the disclosure described herein in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the disclosure described herein, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described herein, and in the disclosure described herein generally.

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure described herein and illustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosure described herein. In addition, the disclosure described herein does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a toy train track connector and riser system and assembly of the disclosure described herein. Here, assembly 100A can include multiple sloping tracks 150 connected to each other in series via a plurality of junction points, or via track connectors 300. Specifically, each track 150 can include a male connection member 152 that can be received within a female receiving member 304 (FIG. 4A) of each track connector 300, thereby securing the track to the track connector. In particular, each track connector 300 can include an extended flat region 308 that provides support from below each track 150. In addition, each track 150 can include a female member 154 that can receive a male connection member 306 (FIG. 4A) of each track connector 300, thereby securing the track to the track connector. Further, each track connector 300 is further secured to a pair of risers or support columns 210, 220, a 230, each having independent widths and heights. In particular, each track connector 300 is secured to each pair of risers 210, 220, and 230 via a pair of threaded fasteners 350. It is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure described herein that tracks 150, 160, or 170 shown within the figures can be any type of toy train or car track, and be made of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, polymer, composite, or metal, among others.

FIG. 2 illustrates another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the toy train track connector and riser system of the disclosure described herein. Here, assembly 100B is shown having curved tracks 160 connected to each other via track connectors 300, wherein each track connector is secured to its respective riser via a pair of fasteners 350. In addition, each track or set of tracks can be on multiple levels or tiers. For example, tracks 160 can be on a first lower level tier, on a second level tier, and also on a third upper level tier (not shown). Specifically, each riser 210, 220, and 230 can support multiple levels or tiers. For example, the pair of risers 210 can support up to three levels or tiers. Each tier can be represented by openings 212A (upper level tier three), 212B (middle level tier two), and 212C (lower level tier one), wherein openings 212A-212C are also shown in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate various non-limiting exemplary embodiments of risers or support columns for the train track connector and riser system of the disclosure described herein. Here, each riser 210-240 can be provided in pairs to support and be secured to each side of a track connector 300. Specifically, each riser can include openings 212A-212C, 222A-222B, 232, and 240, wherein each end or threaded male member 310A and 310B can be passed through any of the foregoing openings 212A-212C, 222A-222B, 232, and 240 of any of risers 210-240. For example, if a lower track tier configuration is desired, then the lower tier 232, 222B, and 212C of risers 230, 220, and 210 can be used, such as shown in FIGS. 1-2 . However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure described herein that the assembly of the disclosure described herein can be in any configuration with any number of or styles of risers used. As another example, the configuration of the assembly of the disclosure described herein may include several pairs of risers 232 in between the tracks for having a track system that is just one level. In another example, risers may be positioned in order of lower height to higher height or lower height to higher height to create either a downward slope or upward slope for the tracks, such as shown in FIG. 1 .

Further, the user may also connect the other openings of each riser with a respective track connector 300, such as opposing openings 212C, 212B, and 212A even if there are no tracks connected to one or more of those track connectors, such as shown FIG. 2 with respect to riser 210 where the first two tiers do not have tracks 150. The foregoing configuration can provide additional stability, rigidity, and support to the riser supporting the tracks. Referring to FIG. 3B, riser 240 can provide an elongated slot or opening 242 that can allow track connector 300 (including its ends 310A and 310B passed through a pair of openings 242) to be positioned and secured to the pair of risers 240 at any position along the opening 242, such as near its distal ends or in the middle region, among others, thereby providing additional customization of the assembly. It is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure described herein that any of risers 210-240 can be made of any material, including but not limited to wood, plastic, polymer, or metal, among others.

FIGS. 4A-6B illustrate various views for one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the track connector of the disclosure described herein. Here, track connector 300 can include a body having a pair of protruding threaded male members 310A and 310B. Body 302 can further include channels, cut-outs, or tracks 302A and 302B for receiving one or more wheels of a toy train car, wherein channels 302A and 302B can align with the corresponding channels on tracks 150, 160 or 170, among others. Further, body 302 can include an opening or female opening securement member 304 for receiving a corresponding male member of a track. In addition, body 302 can also include a male protruding securement member 306 for securing track 300 to a female opening of a track. In addition, track connector 300 can include an extended or protruding flat supporting member 308 that is connected to body 302 and to the side of member 306. Here, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the top sides of member 308 are shown to be slightly lower in length or height relative to the distal end of member 306. In operation, supporting member 308 provides a flat stable and rigid top support surface for a connected track to rest on, such as tracks 150, 160, or 170. Here, in the secured position where a female opening of the track is connected to the male member 306, the bottom surface of the track can abut the top surface 308A of member 308, and the front surface of the track can abut surface 308B of body 302, which can provide a secure fit and junction between the connected track and track connector 300. The foregoing can further help to provide a stable riser and track assembly that can support the weight of multiple toy trains rolling across track connector 300 and the connected track (such as tracks 150, 160, or 170), and since the surfaces of the track abut against surfaces 308A and 308B, then there can be minimal to no twisting or no pivoting of connector 300 relative to the track, thereby further improving the stability of the assembly.

FIG. 7A illustrates one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a fastener for the toy train track connector and riser system of the disclosure described herein, and FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a method of securing the track connector to the risers of the disclosure described herein. Here, fastener 350 can included a threaded opening 354 for coupling with the threaded region of members 310A and 310B. In addition, fastener can include protrusions 352A and 352B that can allow a user (such as a child) to easily grip fastener 350 and tighten it onto members 310A and 310B of track connector 300. In one embodiment of a method of operation, male members 310A and 310B can be slid through any of the openings 212A-242 of risers 210-240 in order to be coupled to the risers. Next, fasteners 350 can then be screwed onto members 310A and 310B and tightened against the risers, thereby securing the risers to track connectors 300.

FIGS. 8A-9 illustrates one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bridge support member accessory and assembly 100C of the disclosure described herein. Here, bridge support member 400 can include elongated slots or openings 410A and 410B which can receive male members 310A and 310B therethrough in order to be secured to track connector 300 and any of risers 210-240. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the regions of member 400 having openings 410A and 410B are abutted against the side regions of track 170 and also against the side regions of risers 230 and held securely in place, via fasteners 350 tightened against an opposing side of risers 230 further via male members 310A and 310B of track connectors 300.

FIGS. 10A-11 illustrate one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a rail track crossing gate accessory and assembly 100D of the disclosure described herein. Here, gate 500 can include a first male member 514 having a distal end 516, wherein member 514 is pivotally secured to an elongated member 512. Further, gate 500 can also include a female base member 524 that is configured to receive member 514 within opening 522, thereby securing member 524 to member 514, such as shown in FIG. 11 . In addition, member 524 can also include an extended region 526 having an opening 528, wherein opening 528 is configured to receive either male member 310A and 310B. Specifically, extended region 526 creates a ledge area for the bottom of member 524 which an rest on top of any of risers 210-240, and further wherein fastener 350 is tightened against one side of region 526 such that gate 500 is securely coupled to its respective riser and track connector 300.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present disclosure described herein is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy track assembly, comprising: a first and second support column, the first and second support columns each comprising at least one first opening; a track connector, wherein the track connector comprises a first and second threaded male member, wherein the first threaded male member is received within the first opening of the first support column and the second threaded male member is received within the first opening of the second support column; and a first and second fastener, wherein, via a threaded engagement, the first fastener is coupled to the first threaded male member and the second fastener is coupled to the second threaded male member, thereby securing the track connector to the first and second support columns.
 2. The toy track assembly of claim 1, wherein the track connector further comprises a female member and a male member, wherein the female member of the track connector is configured to couple to a male member of a first toy track and the male member is configured to couple to a female member of a second toy track.
 3. The toy track assembly of claim 2, wherein the track connector further comprises an extended flat region adjacent to the male member of the track connector.
 4. The toy track assembly of claim 3, wherein the male member of the track connector comprises a distal end and the extended flat region comprises a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the extended flat region is below the distal end of the male member of the track connector.
 5. The toy track assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second support columns each further comprise a second opening, wherein the second opening is configured to receive the first or second threaded male members of the track connector.
 6. The toy track assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second support columns each further comprise a third opening, wherein the third opening is configured to receive the first or second threaded male members of the track connector.
 7. The toy track assembly of claim 6, wherein the third opening is above the second opening and the second opening is above the first opening.
 8. The toy track assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bridge support accessory, wherein the bridge support accessory comprises a first and second opening.
 9. The toy track assembly of claim 8, wherein the first opening of the bridge support accessory receives the first threaded male member of the track connector and the second opening of the bridge support accessory receives the second threaded male member of the track connector.
 10. The toy track assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pivoting gate accessory, wherein the pivoting gate accessory further comprises an extended region having an opening, wherein the opening receives either the first or second threaded male member of the track connector.
 11. A toy track assembly, comprising: a first and second riser, the first and second risers each comprising at least one first opening; a track securement member, wherein the track securement member comprises a first and second threaded male member, wherein the first threaded male member is received within the first opening of the first riser and the second threaded male member is received within the first opening of the second riser; and a first and second fastener, wherein the first fastener is secured to the first threaded male member and the second fastener is coupled to the second threaded male member, thereby securing the track securement member to the first and second risers. 